We enjoy being outdoors no matter what the time of year. However, when it comes to providing a sense of wonder, unlike spring, summer and early autumn, late autumn and early winter give up their subtle treasures reluctantly. One must move slowly and look closely or much will be missed.

With the leaves now gone the convoluted bark of the Osage Orange is hard not to notice, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, (Donna).

Better in B&W?

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A cloudy cold early November morning gives way to the fleeting sun of an unexpectedly warm afternoon and as if by magic things appear not seen a few hours earlier.

A warm early November afternoon and the first sighting of a Variegated Fritillary for the year, (Donna).

A pond quiet in the cold morning air comes to life in the warm afternoon sun, Leopard Frog, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.

The goal for the day was to catch a nice Smallmouth Bass at the north end of Griggs Reservoir. Before I left to house my wife reminded me, “You better take a camera because you never know what you might see!” Heeding her words I stuffed a small Panasonic ZS50 travel zoom into a pocket. Not exactly a serious wildlife camera but at least if I saw something interesting I just might get a picture. Besides I was going fishing and didn’t want to be encumbered by larger more competent equipment.

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Low water and a hint of autumn along the Scioto River.

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After two hours of casting into what appeared to be promising smallmouth habitats and trying various lures, I had one small bluegill to show for my angling efforts. But I sure was happy I took the camera as I witnessed something I’d never seen before!

At first just looking . . .

the immature Red-tailed Hawk then decides to test the water.

Is that me?

A little deeper, don’t want to get those wing wet . . .

One more picture and I’m out of here!

I guess he wasn’t kidding!

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In the words of a very wise person, you never know what you’re going to see so take your camera! Thanks for stopping by.

Light filters through the leaves of a fallen Sycamore along the Scioto River.

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XXX

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Should you wish prints from various posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. If you don’t find it on the link drop us a line.

Most of the time it’s nice to have a central theme. However, for the most part, this post just meanders through early autumn and celebrates the time of year in some of our central Ohio parks. I continue to enjoy shooting a portion of my photos with a Sony A7, adapter, and legacy Canon FD lenses. It’s nice to have so much control over depth of field. My wife is ever on the lookout for things small, be it insects or details that charm in the fall foliage.

The Big Darby, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.

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Monarchs continue to work their way south while a few late summer buckeyes, having made their way to central Ohio, enchant. Painted Ladies and Viceroys also continue to be seen. Are Painted Ladies more beautiful with wings closed or open?

Viceroy, (Donna)

Take 2.

Buckeye, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).

Painted Lady, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.

Take 2, (Donna).

Eastern-tailed Blue, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).

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Leaves continue to grace a long fallen Sycamore along the Scioto River below Griggs Dam.

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There still may be time before the first hard frost results in an abrupt end to most of the current insect activity. Katydids and crickets that so willingly provide the late summer soundtrack for our outdoor adventures will fall silent. The purpose of their time here will emerge next spring and take up the charge as the dance of death and life continues. Meanwhile as autumn moves on we continue to enjoy their life.

Recently we were fascinated by an immature Red-tailed Hawk that posed to have it’s picture taken and then decided to fly into a nearby tree in an attempt to extract a meal from a squirrels nest. It did succeed in arousing the occupants but standing on top of the nest it was no match for them as they circled and sprang from branch to branch until they were out of harms way.

Red-tailed Hawk, Griggs Reservoir Park.

Come on out of there, I just went to play, honest!

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A hint of autumn, Griggs Reservoir.

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With the days now much shorter, other creatures seem to sense that colder weather is just around the corner as they enjoy the morning sun or in the case of the squirrels and chipmunks busy themselves collecting stores for winter.

Painted Turtle, Prairie Oaks Metro Park.

Chipmunk with acorn, Griggs reservoir Park, (Donna).

Red Squirrel, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).

Groundhog, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).

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A favorite tree.

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Asters and other late summer flowers now compete with leaves for the seasons beauty.

Neighbors

Evening Primrose, Griggs Reservoir Park, (Donna).

The Scioto River pays tribute to autumn.

The river peeks through windblown leaves as they struggle to hang on, Griggs Reservoir Park.

Rocks often washed by the river’s high water are now covered with the litter of trees.

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We often journey into nature equipped with expectations, perhaps it’s seeing a certain bird, insect, or wildflower, but the key to the magic may be to let go, allowing each day, each season, to speak in it’s own voice.

Autumn from the canoe, Griggs Reservoir.

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Thanks for stopping by.

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XXX

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Should you wish prints from various posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. If you don’t find it on the link drop us a line.

At least that impression one gets watching a Winter Wren foraging for food. These very small dark colored birds with a very pronounced turned up tail are hard to see much less photograph as they make their way around dense underbrush usually near water. In fact I don’t think we’ve ever seen one very far from water although that could be due to the fact that we spent a large amount of our time looking for birds near water along the Scioto River in Griggs Reservoir Park.

Winter Wren along the Scioto River, (Donna).

Study 2, (Donna).

Study 3.

Study 4.

Winter Wren habitat along the Scioto River.

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From the very small to very large, a Sycamore along the Scioto River. What could it tell us of this place if it could talk?

Sycamore along the Scioto, (Donna).

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This time of year it’s always a joy when common birds entertain us. Not so easy to capture in their natural habitat away from feeders.

Carolina Chickadee, Griggs Park.

Carolina Chickadee, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Tufted Titmouse, Griggs Park.

Study 2.

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While closer to the ground there is still a presence of green, in many areas overhead it’s a different story.

Almost always heard before they’re seen this Carolina Wren was determined to get noticed, along the Scioto River below Griggs Dam.

Song Sparrow, Griggs Park.

We were looking for the Winter Wren but some previously hard to fine Golden-crowned Kinglets kept getting in the way, along the Scioto below Griggs Dam.

Take 2.

A noisy Northern Flicker also demanded to be noticed, Griggs Park.

This Dark-eyed Junco was acting like it might have hurt feelings if I didn’t take it’s picture, Griggs Park.

Goldfinch, winter plumage, Griggs Park.

Wait, you’re not a bird!, Griggs Park, (Donna).

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A fascinating and unexpected find during a recent walk along the Scioto River was this very nice example of a Horn Coral fossil. The fossil was about 4 inches long!

Rugose corals, often called “horn corals”, because their form may resemble the horn of a cow or goat. This coral became extinct at or near the end of the Permian period, about 240 million years ago. It first appeared in the early Ordovician period and peaked during the Devonian. photo by Donna. Ref: http://fallsoftheohio.org/DevonianCorals.html

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Up until just four days ago warm weather was allowing some of our insect friends to hang around but with this mornings temperature around 20F we don’t expect to see them again any time soon.

So long until next spring! (Donna).

Likewise! (Donna)

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Given that it’s Thanksgiving week here in central Ohio the next bird we will be investigating will probably be a turkey. On that note we wish everyone a happy holiday. Thanks for stopping by.

Milkweed seeds take flight, Griggs Park, (Donna).

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Should you wish, various prints from this and other posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. and Donna’s 2017 Birds of Griggs Park calendar is available at Calendar.

For those of you that follow this blog you know that we spend a lot of time walking in one park near our home. Part of the fascination has been to see what we can discover in this one specific location throughout the year. As the seasons change, it’s often about what we don’t see as much as what we do. From our house the park is also the perfect distance for a long walk which adds to the overall satisfaction of the experience. Finally, without making too much work out of it, we also try to help keep the park free of cans, bottles and other litter which provides a sense of ownership and makes the place just that much more special.

The leaves are mostly on the ground now in Griggs Park.

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Having provided a rather circuitous introduction you’re probably wondering where this is going. Well it’s about the Kinglets! Several weeks ago we saw quite a few Golden and Ruby Crown Kinglets along the Scioto River below the Griggs Dam but since then nothing. Were had they gone? Had our timing since then just been bad? We were starting to wonder. Would we again see these little birds that do so much to brighten up late fall and winter in central Ohio?

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In then a few days ago, in the company of Chickadees and Downy Woodpeckers, there they were.

Golden Crown Kinglet along the Scioto below Griggs Dam.

Take 2.

Take 3, (Donna)

Take 4, (Donna).

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. . . and not far away.

Downy Woodpecker (F), a common resident this time of year.

A Red-bellied Woodpecker contrasts nicely with the fall color.

A male Cardinal in the afternoon sun puts a smile on our face.

Male Bluebird Griggs Park. They are easy to spot this time of year.

Dark Eyed Junco, a winter visitor from the north, Griggs Park.

Take 2.

A Song Sparrow with attitude, (Donna).

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Red-tailed Hawks are hard to miss this time of year.

Red-tailed Hawk, Griggs Park.

Take 2.

Take 3.

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My wife was trying to figure out what this crow was doing.

Crow playing with Northern Catalpa seed pod, (Donna)

Take 2.

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And as always there have been other things to notice.

A Fox Squirrel checks us out, Griggs Park.

Stink Horn mushroom, Griggs Park, only this one example was found.

Amazingly, after a number of below freezing nights, we continue to see butterflies, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Not in the best shape but pretty amazing considering the time of year.

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Donna tried her hand at capturing the often ignored shapes and designs of late fall.

Take 1.

Take 2.

Take 3.

Take 4.

Take 5.

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On future walks we hope the kinglets, along with their friends, will continue to charm and fascinate making this time of year just a little brighter. Thanks for stopping by.

Sunset, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna).

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Should you wish, various prints from this and other posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. and Donna’s 2017 Birds of Griggs Park calendar is available at Calendar.

Usually when we think of autumn color we’re thinking about leaves but recent outings in central Ohio have revealed that in the autumn color can come in many different shapes and sizes. The pictures below celebrate things we’ve seen in the last two weeks hiking and paddling. While peak color is still about two weeks away, it’s hard not to be charmed by the splashes of color amongst the predominately green landscape.

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Exploring Alum Creek Reservoir north of the Howard Road bridge.

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The green corridor along Griggs Reservoir and the Scioto River is still providing opportunities to view migrated birds as well as local residents.

The portrait of a Cape May warbler gets photo bombed by a pair of amorous ladybugs, Griggs Park.

Eastern Phoebe, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Yellow-throated Warbler, Griggs Park.

A Blue-headed Vireo makes an appearance at Griggs Park, (Donna).

Song Sparrow, Griggs Park, (Donna).

A pair of Northern Flickers, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Juvenile Green Heron, Scioto River below Griggs Dam.

A pair of Carolina Wrens, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Female Belted Kingfisher, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Sparrows going for a swim, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna).

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. . . and plenty of insects, spiders, and flowers too!

Variegated Fritillary, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Monarch, Griggs Park.

Mating Blue-fronted Dancers, Griggs Park, Donna.

A Praying Mantis pays us a visit, (Donna).

Calico Asters, Griggs Park.

Corn Earworm Moth, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Wandering Glider, Griggs Park, (Donna, she wouldn’t tell me how long she waited to get this pic).

Pearl Crescents, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Seemingly unperturbed, a Grey Hairstreak shares a small flower with a bumblebee, (Donna).

Variable Orb Weaver, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Common Checkered Skipper, Griggs park, (Donna).

Orange Sulfur, Griggs Park, (Donna).

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Mudflats and logs exposed along Alum Creek due to slightly lower water levels provided an opportunity to see a few shorebirds.

Spotted Sandpiper along Alum Creek north of the reservoir.

Solitary Sandpiper along Alum Creek north of the reservoir.

Alum Creek.

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The little bit of rain we’ve had recently brought out some fungi.

Unidentified, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Non-inky Coprinus, Griggs Park, (Donna).

Witch’s Butter, Griggs Park, (Donna)

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Unlike two or three weeks ago when there were Ospreys everywhere, when we paddling the north end of Alum Creek Reservoir last Thursday none were seen. However, there were a lot of cormorants and gulls.

Along the shore of Alum Creek Reservoir.

A Doubled Crested Cormorant takes flight as we paddle north on Alum Creek Reservoir, (Donna).

Looking for Ospreys, Alum Creek Reservoir.

Along Alum Creek

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As if sensing the warm weather won’t last forever . . .

Basking in the morning sun, Griggs Reservoir.

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The amount of insect activity we’ve seen in the last two weeks has been been truly amazing. We haven’t had our first frost yet so I’m sure a lot will change once that happens. Meanwhile we’ll continue to enjoy. Thanks for stopping by.

Early autumn on Griggs Reservoir.

xxx

Should you wish, various prints from this and other posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. and Donna’s 2017 Birds of Griggs Park calendar is available at Calendar.

The last few days found us paddling Griggs Reservoir. This time of year we always hope that staying close to the shoreline will result in warbler sightings and perhaps a few pictures. With warblers and other migrants moving through it’s a good time of year. In recent days on the reservoir we’ve even seen Mink along the banks and while walking just south of the dam my wife caught the tail end of a Bald Eagle as it flew overhead.

Bald Eagle over the Scioto River just below Griggs Reservoir, (Donna)

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A number of immature Black-crowned Night Herons have also been seen, encouraging because of our recent discovery of one that had met it’s demise at the business end of a abandoned fishing line.

Immature Black-crowned Night Heron, Griggs Reservoir.

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Other things were also seen as we made our way along the shore.

A Great Blue Heron takes flight, Griggs Reservoir, (Donna)

Two Wood Ducks seemingly amused by a Painted Turtle or is it the other way around, Griggs reservoir.

A Red-tailed Hawk looks on as we head north along the west shore of the reservoir.

Painted Turtles enjoy posing for the camera much more than some of the other species we encounter, (Donna)

A female Kingfisher actually poses for the camera, Griggs Reservoir.

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Walking Griggs Park has been more productive for seeing as well as photographing warblers and other small birds mostly because of the difficulty in controlling and positioning the canoe in the pursuit of small active birds.

A male Bluebird doing what bluebirds do best, Griggs Park.

A male Cardinal, beautiful in the morning sun, Griggs Park.

Eastern Phoebe, Griggs Park.

Black-throated Green Warbler, Griggs Park.

Another view, (Donna)

Carolina Wren sings it’s heart out.

Chipping Sparrow, Griggs Park.

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If the warblers aren’t cooperating there may be a butterfly, not always rare, but one we’ve not noticed before.

Checkered Skipper, Griggs Park, (Donna)

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Fishing is also getting better as the weather cools with time taken off between casts to do a little house keeping along the shore. What can I say, it’s always there, but as those who read this blog already know, it makes me feel better to pick it up.

Another nice Smallmouth Bass, Griggs Reservoir

Unlike fish that are always returned to the water, the trash covering the bottom of the canoe is not “Catch and Release”!

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But recently real magic was discovered within the world of the very small when we spotted countless damselflies mating on fallen autumn leaves floating on the reservoir’s calm surface as we paddled back to our launch site during the warmth of the day. We’d never seen anything like that before.

In the warming late morning sun Dusky Dancer were on every leaf, (Donna)

The bigger the leaf the more damselflies. Sometimes, as we got close, they would swarm over the canoe.

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That’s about it for this post. For us living in northern regions autumn is a great time to be out in nature. A feeling borne from the knowledge that this fleeting time will not last. Thanks for stopping by.

Dew Drop

xxx

Should you wish, various prints from this and other posts may be purchased at Purchase a Photo. and Donna’s 2017 Birds of Griggs Park calendar is available at Calendar.